WARRIORS chiefs have dismissed rumours Director of Rugby Dean Ryan could be set for a move to Bath in a row over the Sixways playing budget.
Chief executive Jim O’Toole issued a statement slamming a report in a national newspaper which claimed Ryan had fallen out with the board.
The report claimed Sixways chiefs were planning to tighten the purse strings and urge Ryan to focus more on English-qualified players.
It was suggested Ryan had been approached by Bath following the row to succeed recently axed Mike Ford as Director of Rugby.
However, O’Toole hit out at the reports and said Ryan’s budget would actually increase by 25 per cent for the 2016/17 season.
“Dean Ryan is under a long-term contract and returned to his desk on Monday after a pre-planned holiday. He will join me and senior colleagues in our pre-season planning as usual,” O’Toole said.
“We’re excited for the new season and Dean retains the full support of the board, who are pleased with the progress made against the club’s five-year plan.”
Suggestions the Warriors board were pulling back on their long-term financial commitment to become an established Aviva Premiership side also angered O’Toole.
“I was slightly bemused to read there was any hint of us tightening the purse strings as we prepare for the forthcoming Premiership season,” he added.
“We’ve committed to a 25 per cent increase in our rugby budget for the 2016/17 season, which I’m sure many of our competitors will envy.
“Our long-term strategy is based on three key pillars – our development of a solid base of English-qualified players via an annual £500,000 investment in our academy, our investment in top class facilities and infrastructure and our commitment to spending to the Premiership salary cap.”
Warriors confirmed to the Observer yesterday (Tuesday) Ryan had returned to work as planned ahead of the club’s pre-season programme.